Speed governed rotary device

ABSTRACT

A rotary device with a speed governor and having a centrifugally radially expandable rotor with a drive surface acted upon by pressurized fluid, either gas or liquid, for this rotating the rotor and a fluid passage in the rotor to this surface including an inlet for the fluid and valve means in the rotor fluid passage movable to restrict flow of the fluid to the surface upon centrifugal expansion of the rotor in order to govern the speed of rotation. The disclosure is also directed to a rotor having such a drive surface and centrifugally operated valve means for restricting flow of the fluid in the rotor to the surface to govern the speed of rotation. The disclosure is further directed to a hollow flexible rotor expandable radially under centrifugal forces to move the sides of the rotor toward each other during this centrifugal expansion and a fluid valve in the rotor that is moved toward closed position by the centrifugal expansion to govern the speed of the rotor.

O UIlltGd States Patent 1 [111 3,733,143 Theis, Jr. May 15, 1973 4]SPEED GOVERNED ROTARY DEVICE Primary Examiner-C. J. Husar [75] Inventor:James V. Theis, Jr., Park Forest, Ill. A"0meyAXel Hofgren et [73]Assignee: Hollymatic Corporation, Park [57] ABSTRACT A rotary devicewith a speed governor and having a [22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1971centrifugally radially expandable rotor with a drive surface acted uponby pressurized fluid, either gas or [2]] Appl' l78648 liquid, for thisrotating the rotor and a fluid passage in the rotor to this surfaceincluding an inlet for the fluid [52] US. Cl. ..4l5/80, 32/27, 415/25, dal means in the rotor fluid passage movable to 415/82, 415/214, 415/503restrict flow of the fluid to the surface upon centrifu- 51] Int. Cl..F0ld 1/18 gal expansion of the rotor in Order to govern the Speed 58Field of Search ..415/25, 80,503 of The disclosure is also directed to arotor 415/82 416/240. 332/27 having such a drive surface andcentrifugally operated valve means for restricting flow of the fluid inthe rotor to the surface to govern the speed of rotation. [56]References Cited The disclosure is further directed to a hollow flexibleUNITED STATES PATENTS rotor expandable radially under centrifugal forcesto move the sides of the rotor toward each other during 400,610 4/1889Tuerk Jr ..415/25 this centrifugal expansion and a fluid valve in therotor 444,938 1/1891 Kll'lkaldz ..415/25 that is moved toward closed p iy h centrifb 3,578,872 McBurnle ..4l5/25 gal expansion to govern thespeed of the rotor.

17 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 1 51975 SHEET 1 OF 2 PATENIEUMAY 1 5197s SHEET 2 [IF 2 SPEED GOVERNED ROTARY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this invention the rotor which hasa drive surface acted upon by the pressurized fluid for rotating therotor also includes a fluid passage in the rotor to this surface andcentrifugally operated valve means also in the rotor fluid passage forrestricting flow of pressurized fluid to the drive surface at a selectedspeed of ro- A tation to govern the speed to a preselected maximum. Inone embodiment of the invention the rotor is radially expandable underincreasing centrifugal forces and this expansion is used to operate thefluid flow restricting valve means. In a specifically disclosedembodiment of the invention the entire rotor is constructed of aflexible material such as an elastomer so that the rotor is distortableradially under centrifugal force and it is distortable laterally by theinternal fluid pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational viewpartially in section of a high speed grinder operated by compressed airand illustrates one embodiment of the invention taken along line l-l ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 22of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the rotor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the rotor and adjacentparts illustrating a position of the rotor sides during rotation.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment shown in thedrawings the pressurized fluid engine comprises an elongated casing 11having a rotatable shaft 12 therein whose forward end extends from thecasing and may be used for operating a small grinding wheel 13 such asmay be used for grinding metal. The engine, a term used generically toindicate a device for converting pressurized fluid into power, isdesigned in the illustrated embodiment to operate on compressed gas suchas compressed air. The engine is provided with a fluid inlet means 14 oftubular shape integral with and extending rearwardly of a rear cover 15for the casing This tube 14 receives and retains the end of the flexiblecompressed air pressure hose 16.

The rear end 18 of the shaft 12 beyond an end bearing assembly 17extends into an enlarged circular rear chamber 19 and has mountedthereon a rotor 20 made of a flexible elastomer such as flexible nylon.

The end surface of the shaft end 18 is located adjacent the innersurface 32 of the rear cover 15. In this end of the shaft there isprovided a circular chamber 22 in which is located an annular seal 23which is concentric along with the outer circumference of the chamber 22with the axis of rotation of the shaft 12 and the rotor 20. With thisarrangement pressurized fluid from the supply passage 24 and theinterior of the rotor 20 presses the seal 23 rearwardly against theinner surface 21 so that the rotor and shaft combination rotatesrelative to the seal 23. This arrangement of rotor, shaft and seal isdisclosed and claimed in Theis et al copending application Ser. No.170,234, filed Aug. 9, 1971 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,241.

The rotor 20 is provided with internal surfaces illustrated by the twosymmetrically positioned Archimedes spiral surfaces 25 and 26 which areat the inner periphery of an annular hollow internal chamber 27 in ther0- tor.

The rotor therefore contains on its hollow interior a fluid passagehaving a central inlet 28 at the axis of the rotor and a pair of outlets29 and 30 with the fluid being directed toward the outlet 29 by thearcuate surface 25 and to the outlet 30 by the arcuate surface 26.

Between the axial inlet 28 and the peripheral outlets 29 and 30 there isprovided a centrifugally operated valve means 31 for restricting flow offluid to the surfaces 25 and 26 and thus the outlets 29 and 30 uponincreasing rotation of the rotor for thereby governing the speed ofrotation. In the illustrated embodiment this valve means comprisesseparable elements held apart during rotation of the rotor by internalpressure of the pressurized fluid (here air) as illustrated in FIG. 4.These elements include an annular flat surface member 32 integral withthe flexible side 33 of the rotor on the interior thereof and an angularmember 34 on the opposite flexible side 35 adapted to make substantiallya circular line contact with the surface 32 when the valve is closed asshown in FIG. 1.

These elements 32 and 34 and thus the valve means itself are arcuatelyarranged and in the illustrated embodiment extend for 360 and arecoaxial with the chamber 19, the rotor 20 and the axis of rotation ofthe shaft 12 and rotor 20. Thus as can be seen from the abovedescription and from the illustrated embodiment the valve means 31extends substantially completely across the fluid passage within therotor which, as explained, extends from the entrance 28 to the exitnozzles 38 and 39. In the embodiment as illustrated the surfaces 25 and26 alsoextend for substantially 360 around the axis of rotation.

The rotor 20 is being flexible both at the periphery 36 and sides 33 and35 is centrifugally radially expandable when subjected to centrifugalforces during rotation as indicated by the centrifugal force arrows 37in FIG. 4. Rotation, of course, occurs when the pressurized fluid flowsinto the rotor by way of the inlet 28, radially outwardly through theinternal chamber 27 and between the separated valve elements or members32 and 34, against the arcuate surfaces 25 and 26, through the outlets29 and 30 and from the rotating rotor through the diametricallyoppositely located nozzles 38 and 39 as indicated by the arrows 40. Thecentrifugal force of the rotating rotor by radial expansion of the rotortends to draw the flexible sides 33 and 35 thus the valve elements 32and 34 toward each other to restrict the fluid flow through -the radialchamber 27. This serves to restrict the fluid flow upon increasingrotational speed and thereby operates as a governor.

The flexibility of the rotor sides containing the valve elements 32 and34 is enhanced by providing circular grooves 40 that are also concentricwith the axis of rotation and by providing radial grooves 41 on theouter surfaces of the rotor sides. These grooves 40 and 41 thereforecomprise hinge elements on the sides imparting a predetermined degree offlexibility to the sides and thereby predetermining the maximum speed ofrotation. In one embodiment compressed air was supplied to the rotor atabout 80 pounds per square inch pressure and at a flow rate of cubicfeet per minute and the device operated at about 80,000 rpm. In thisdevice the external diameter of the rotor was 1.64 inches and theexternal diameter of the grooves 40 was 1.01 inches while the thicknessat the sides 42 was about 0.03 inch.

In operation the pressurized fluid such as compressed air was suppliedto the rotor interior through the passage 24 and inlet 28. The pressureof the fluid immediately held the valve elements 32 and 34 apart totheir maximum extent and rotation of the rotor immediately commenced.Then, under increasing rotational speed the rotor expanded at theperiphery 36 which drew the valve elements 32 and 34 toward each other.This had the effect of restricting flow of fluid past these elements tothe exit nozzles 38 and 39 so as to limit or govern the maximum speed ofrotation. The air flow from the nozzles 38 and 39 flowed through thechamber 19 to the exterior by way of end openings 43 which directed theexhaust fluid rearwardly away from the grinding wheel 13.

The operating r.p.m. of the engine 10 can be controlled by controllingthe mass of the periphery of the rotor 20.

Having described my invention as related to the embodiment shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be notlimited by any of the details of description, unless otherwisespecified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scopeas set out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A speed governed rotary device, comprising: a centrifugally radiallyexpandable rotor having a drive surface acted upon by pressurized fluidfor rotating said rotor and a fluid passage in said rotor to saidsurface including an inlet for said fluid; and valve means in said rotorfluid passage movable to restrict flow of said fluid in said passage tosaid surface upon centrifugal expansion of said rotor, thereby governingthe speed of rotation of said rotor.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said rotor comprises a centrifugallydistortable portion comprising said valve means.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said rotor is hollow to provide aninterior chamber comprising a centrifugally distortable side comprisingsaid valve means.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein there are a pair of said centrifugallydistortable sides both having cooperating valve members comprising saidvalve means.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said drive surface is arcuate and islocated within the rotor at the periphery of said chamber.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said valve means is arcuate and saidinlet is located substantially concentrically with said arcuate valvemeans.

7. A speed governed rotary device, comprising: a hollow rotor having adrive surface acted upon by pressurized fluid for rotating said rotorand a fluid passage in said rotor to said surface including an inletsubstantially at the center of said rotor for said fluid; andcentrifugally operated valve means extending for approximately 360 insaid rotor fluid passage for restricting flow of said fluid to saidsurface upon rotation of said rotor for thereby governing the speed ofrotation of said rotor.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said valve means comprises separableelements held apart during rotation of said rotor by the pressure ofsaid pressurized fluid.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said drive surface also extendssubstantially 360.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the axis of rotation of the rotor,said inlet, and said valve means are substantially coaxial.

11. A speed governed rotary device, comprising: a hollow flexible rotorexpandable radially under centrifugal forces having a drive surfaceacted upon by pressurized fluid for rotating the rotor and a fluidpassage in said rotor to said surface including an inlet for said fluidspaced from said surface; valve means in said fluid passage between saidinlet and said surface for controlling supply of said pressurized fluidto said surface and thereby the speed of rotation of said rotor; andvalve operating means on said rotor tending to close said valve meansupon said centrifugal expansion of said rotor to control the speedthereof.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said rotor includes a pair offlexible sides comprising said valve operating means and the valveincludes cooperating valve elements on said sides, the sides beingspaced apart during rotation.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said valve operating means compriseshinge elements on said sides imparting a predetermined degree offlexibility to said sides.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said hinge elements on said sidescomprise thin portions of the sides.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said thin portions in said flexiblesides are circular and are substantially concentric to the axis ofrotation.

16. The device of claim 12 wherein said valve means comprisessubstantially circular cooperating valve elements on said opposite sidesand positioned in said fluid passage, said sides being held spaced apartby internal pressure of said pressurized fluid.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said valve operating means compriseshinge elements on said sides imparting a predetermined degree offlexibility to said sides, and wherein said hinge elements are circular,and said hinge elements, valve elements and axis of rotation aresubstantially coaxial.

1. A speed governed rotary device, comprising: a centrifugally radiallyexpandable rotor having a drive surface acted upon by pressurized fluidfor rotating said rotor and a fluid passage in said rotor to saidsurface including an inlet for said fluid; and valve means in said rotorfluid passage movable to restrict flow of said fluid in said passage tosaid surface upon centrifugal expansion of said rotor, thereby governingthe speed of rotation of said rotor.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid rotor comprises a centrifugally distortable portion comprising saidvalve means.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said rotor is hollow toprovide an interior chamber comprising a centrifugally distortable sidecomprising said valve means.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein there area pair of said centrifugally distortable sides both having cooperatingvalve members comprising said valve means.
 5. The device of claim 3wherein said drive surface is arcuate and is located within the rotor atthe periphery of said chamber.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein saidvalve means is arcuate and said inlet is located substantiallyconcentrically with said arcuate valve means.
 7. A speed governed rotarydevice, comprising: a hollow rotor having a drive surface acted upon bypressurized fluid for rotating said rotor and a fluid passage in saidrotor to said surface including an inlet substantially at the center ofsaid rotor for said fluid; and centrifugally operated valve meansextending for approximately 360* in said rotor fluid passage forrestricting flow of said fluid to said surface upon rotation of saidrotor for thereby governing the speed of rotation of said rotor.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7 wherein said valve means comprises separable elementsheld apart during rotation of said rotor by the pressure of sAidpressurized fluid.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said drive surfacealso extends substantially 360*.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein theaxis of rotation of the rotor, said inlet, and said valve means aresubstantially coaxial.
 11. A speed governed rotary device, comprising: ahollow flexible rotor expandable radially under centrifugal forceshaving a drive surface acted upon by pressurized fluid for rotating therotor and a fluid passage in said rotor to said surface including aninlet for said fluid spaced from said surface; valve means in said fluidpassage between said inlet and said surface for controlling supply ofsaid pressurized fluid to said surface and thereby the speed of rotationof said rotor; and valve operating means on said rotor tending to closesaid valve means upon said centrifugal expansion of said rotor tocontrol the speed thereof.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said rotorincludes a pair of flexible sides comprising said valve operating meansand the valve includes cooperating valve elements on said sides, thesides being spaced apart during rotation.
 13. The device of claim 12wherein said valve operating means comprises hinge elements on saidsides imparting a predetermined degree of flexibility to said sides. 14.The device of claim 13 wherein said hinge elements on said sidescomprise thin portions of the sides.
 15. The device of claim 14 whereinsaid thin portions in said flexible sides are circular and aresubstantially concentric to the axis of rotation.
 16. The device ofclaim 12 wherein said valve means comprises substantially circularcooperating valve elements on said opposite sides and positioned in saidfluid passage, said sides being held spaced apart by internal pressureof said pressurized fluid.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein said valveoperating means comprises hinge elements on said sides imparting apredetermined degree of flexibility to said sides, and wherein saidhinge elements are circular, and said hinge elements, valve elements andaxis of rotation are substantially coaxial.